AR-7 Collapsable .22 Rifle

[dieselcruiserhead]

I found one of these little .22s online locally and it really peaked my interest. It appears to be somewhat of a famous gun. I thought it would be pretty neat to keep a .22 conveniently in your truck for a variety of reasons, without having to always be hauling a gun. Besides the fact it floats, packs lightly, etc.

Had anyone ever used one? What are the common problems I should look for and do people recommend them?

 

[BIGdaddy]

i hear that most of the problems come from the magazines. the feed lips get tweeked and you get some ftf and fte's (failure to feed, failure to extract)

good mags equal good performance, though.

Its a neat package and would do well as a backcountry game getter. For a more robust takedown I'd probably choose a marlin papoose, though...thats a nice gun.

This one, at a good price, can't be beat, however. (a good price being under $200 or even $100 in some places)

I like Springfield armory's M6, too. thats a cool break open shotgun/.22 with storage in the butt stock for ammo or survival kits. not made anymore, but can be found second hand for around $300.00

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

The actual one shown is only $150 which I liked...

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I found one of these little .22s online locally and it really peaked my interest. It appears to be somewhat of a famous gun. I thought it would be pretty neat to keep a .22 conveniently in your truck for a variety of reasons, without having to always be hauling a gun. Besides the fact it floats, packs lightly, etc.

Had anyone ever used one? What are the common problems I should look for and do people recommend them?

I've had a couple. Quality has been all over the place, from bad to very bad....accuracy was only so-so, the stock only holds 1 magazine (and no way to carry more), sights are abysmal and can't be improved (or it won't fit in the stock), and on two of mine the barrel locking nut would shoot itself loose in 2 or 3 shots. Oh, and my original Armalite manufactured version the finish was apparently applied by dunking the receiver in a bucket of fairly low quality paint.

The Malin Papoose is about as convenient and much better made.

 

[pyro4fun]

My friend has one of these and its OK but I have heard about Kel-Tec's version its a little larger but from what I have heard allot more accurate and in all a better rifle. Just my opinion. If your going to get a rifle get something worth your money.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/su16b.htm

 

[SunTzuNephew]

The SU-16 is a fine little weapon. It fires the 5.56/.223 round, uses STANAG (M16) magazines, folds compactly. I have one as a survival kit gun for the airplane.

 

[BIGdaddy]

My friend has one of these and its OK but I have heard about Kel-Tec's version its a little larger but from what I have heard allot more accurate and in all a better rifle. Just my opinion. If your going to get a rifle get something worth your money.

http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/su16b.htm

yup I've handled those quite a bit. very nice gun.

the price of around $500-600 is a bit steep, though. for that money, I'd just buy a cali-legal ar15.

the only cool thing is that it splits in half, making storage easier, though the su16ca is still too big to fit into a normal backpack without the barrel sticking out.

maybe neither here nor there.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Papoose looks awesome. I found this pretty killer youtube video on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32FgaIb66bM

 

[teotwaki]

I like the looks of the Papoose a lot, especially the use of stainless.

The AR-7 is really meant for shooting small animals from short distances. By short, maybe 100' or less. If it was stolen out of your truck you wouldn't shed a tear.

 

[ntsqd]

After some considerable tune-up I got a Charter Arms version AR-7 to shoot quite well. As delivered the sear had to go uphill, which didn't do much for accuracy. That one had a hole on each end of the rear sight blade. The one in position as delivered was quite a bit larger than the other, but the other worked a whole lot better. A wire brush and some bright finger nail polish tuned up the front sight.

Oh, and they don't deal with heat very well. Exhaust heated floor boards can melt the butt cap. BT, DT.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I've owned both a Charter Arms AR7 and a Marlin Papoose. The AR is an interesting little gun but not one you'd choose unless you had to. Better than nothing but not a whole lot better. As has been said, sights and accuracy leave something to be desired.

For survival purposes an M6 would probably be better (single shot .22/.410 combo gun.) What purpose does a semi-auto .22 serve in a survival situation anyway? All the semi auto action does is provide you with a means to use your ammunition much faster.

Interestingly, the action of the AR7 is the simplest I've ever seen. It's the only semi auto weapon where I have literally taken every piece of the action apart and then put it back together. It worked fine afterwards.

Other than that, though, it's pretty cheap and crude. The Papoose was a much better gun.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

You are probably right to an extent but for something like a .22 bolt action or some other action would actually probably drive me nuts. For that reason the biggest thing I dislike about the papoose is the small amount of ammo that can be stored in the clips versus say a 10/22 and the banana clips. I like the semi auto because it fun. There are some lingering aspects of the apocalypse thread (lol) but seriously that is extremely secondary. I have shot a semi auto .22 with a huge banana clip and really liked it.

Now to find a Papoose. Looks like new they can be found for around $250 which works for me. Again check out the youtube video, it covers it pretty well. Obviously just one guy's opinion but from google searches and from many of your opinions seems like a good one.

 

[Martinjmpr]

NOTE: Just did a quick Gunbroker search and could only find a couple of M6 "scout" rifles for sale, and those were overpriced ($400+.) OTOH there were lots of AR7s for under $200 (I think anyone who pays more than $200 for a gun like this is getting gypped.)

Too bad, I thought the M6 was more commonly available. I'd even toyed with the idea of picking one up. But honestly, for that kind of money ($400+) you can get a decent Ruger 10/22, put a folding stock on it and still be ahead. You'd lose the .410 capability but it would be superior otherwise.

 

[Martinjmpr]

You are probably right to an extent but for something like a .22 bolt action or some other action would actually probably drive me nuts. For that reason the biggest thing I dislike about the papoose is the small amount of ammo that can be stored in the clips versus say a 10/22 and the banana clips. I like the semi auto because it fun. There are some lingering aspects of the apocalypse thread (lol) but seriously that is extremely secondary. I have shot a semi auto .22 with a huge banana clip and really liked it.

Now to find a Papoose (I haven't even looked to see what they run yet).

When I had my AR7 I did get a 25 round mag for it. It didn't function all that well but it was available.

I think the 10/22 has replaced it in the "cheap .22" department though. If you shop around you can still find a Ruger 10/22 for under $200. Then you can put on any number of accessories: Heavy barrel, fluted barrel, folding stock, thumbhole stock, any manner of sights, etc. The 10/22 has really become the de facto "standard" .22 semi auto. I bought one new in 2001, it's OK to shoot but the trigger is atrocious!

 

[gary in ohio]

I have an older Henry AR-7 Survival rifle. Same gun, different manufacture.
I also have the sporter kit to give it a tough gun look. Its a nice little package weapon to take with you. Not the most accurate but will do in a pinch.